Hazard A Guess: Week of Dec. 18, 2003

Hello from Hazard!

We’ll wrap up Item No. 698 this week and then call it quits until Jan. 8. The early deadlines for the next two issues of the paper mean your responses and the next issue would be passing in the mail.

Two guesses came in for Item No. 698 and, wouldn’t you know it, both are different. Since this is one of the “mystery items” (reader Randy Winland didn’t know what it was when he shared it with Hazard), I’ll put both responses in front of you to see what you say.

Mike James of Galion, Ohio, says it’s a drum brake spring tool, used to remove the spring that holds brake shoes on.

But Alexander Hritzay of Saegertown, Pa., includes a picture of a similar-looking tool that he uses on his tractors and trucks for rebuilding big chains or tightening big tire chains. The markings on his (he bought it at Central Tractor, but doesn’t say when) are “Old Forge, Ct., 120 Made in U.S.A.”

The solved-yet-unsolved puzzle will give you something to think about over your Christmas cookies and milk.

If you can add to the answers to Item No. 698, send us a card at: Hazard a Guess, P.O. Box 38, Salem, OH 44460; or via e-mail: editorial@farmanddairy.com.

All of us here at Farm and Dairy wish our loyal Hazard-ites a very happy holidays and healthy new year!